Psalm Reflection: The Third Sunday of Lent - Cycle B

“Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.” - Psalms 19

What do you imagine the words of everlasting life sound like? 

Are they filled with hope, brimming with love, inspiration and excitement?

…

THOU. 

SHALT. 

NOT.

…

Not exactly what you imagined?

The “words” of the Psalmist could be interpreted many ways, but any faithful Jew would know that the “words” of God began with the Decalogue, meaning “ten words,” the first ten laws God gave to Moses. It should be no surprise that the first reading for this Sunday is the Ten Commandments.

At a cursory glance the Ten Commandments seem like forceful commands of an angry parent saying “don’t do that!” As a parent, my life is a constant experiment with rules. I find that the more frustrated and forceful a rule sounds, the less likely it is going to be followed. I also have discovered that, if you want a child to follow a rule, it helps to tell them why the rule exists.

When we read the Ten Commandments, we can see a list of no, No, NO! However, the Israelites had been in Egypt for so long that they had lost their identity and connection to God. They needed a clear, black-and-white set of rules to follow in order to get Egypt out of their hearts. They needed to know everything they should say “no” to, so they could say “yes” to the right things. That is the why behind the rules.

The words of God lead us to everlasting life because they compel us to say “no” to the destructive things in the life, so we can say “yes” to the things that lead us to Heaven.

God was not all about harsh rules and expectations in the Old Testament, and then suddenly became the open, welcoming, all-compassionate Savior Jesus Christ in the New Testament. We make a mistake when we interpret Jesus’ attitude as always open and welcoming of whatever behavior we choose, or when we see the “God with the rules” as some mythic figure of the Old Testament that is no longer needed.

God is three persons, but He is ONE: one in nature, substance and essence (CCC 200). God is the same throughout the entire Bible and through all human history, and even when He becomes flesh as Jesus he reiterates the need for rules and the need for repentance.

Yes, Jesus loves everyone, no matter their where they are at.

But, even though Jesus loves you as you are, He also loves you too much to let you stay as you are.

This is why I love thinking about all the times in the Gospels where Jesus said “no.”

Jesus, who is perfect in every way, understood the value of rules and boundaries:

When the Devil asks Jesus to do things that are within His power, Jesus does not give in to temptation (Matthew 4:1-11).

When Peter finds Jesus praying and tries to compel him to come back to Capernaum, Jesus moves on to preach in other places instead (Mark 1:38).

When Jesus’ family comes to speak with Him, He does not go and teaches that those who do God’s will are His family (Matthew 12:46-50).

When the Pharisees and Sadducees ask Jesus for a sign, He refuses and rebukes them (Matthew 16:1-4).

Jesus refuses the request to settle an inheritance dispute between two brothers and teaches about greed instead (Luke 12:13-15).

When those who were miraculously fed by Jesus come for more food, he does not feed them but teaches them instead (John 6:26-27).

When Jesus hears that His dear friend Lazarus is dying in a town nearby, He does not go to help, but waits until He is already dead to go (John 11:1-7).

Jesus did not deny these people out of spite or to cause them suffering. He said “no” because He was saying “yes” to His mission. He wanted to bring something greater to people than what they were looking for.

The Ten Commandments, and all the teachings of the Church, were not given to oppress us. They are like the rules in any game: when we learn them we can safely and joyfully play the game so as to win. The rules do not confine us, the rules set us free.

A life without rules is a life where we say “yes” to anything and everything that we want, much of which will lead to our own destruction, addiction, selfishness, pain, and misery. We have a loving Father who does not want to see any of His children suffer that sort of life. That is why He gives us rules. That is why I tell my children not to touch the oven when it is on. It is all for our ultimate good, even if we do not understand it.

If we live in pursuit of the Lord, then His words will lead us to everlasting life. His words compel us to say “no” to certain things so we can say a greater “yes” to the things that matter and ultimately lead to our flourishing.

So next time you read the Ten Commandments, read them in light of the life of flourishing they are calling you to and the truths they reveal about God, who loves you abundantly:

1. We honor God as Creator. We praise him and put Him first in our lives because nothing else can truly satisfy us (CCC 27)

2. We show reverence and honor to God’s name, for His name communicates His love and power (CCC 446, 2666)

3. We worship God by participating in the Mass, the re-presentation of Christ’s once-and-for-all sacrifice on the cross for our salvation.

4. We respect our parents and their authority. We give that same respect to those who are given authority over us as long as they protect and care for our good, as they have been entrusted by God with a stewardship over us.

5. All life is sacred in all its forms, for all life has dignity and beauty, including yours (Psalms 139:13-14, Jeremiah 1:5)

6. God created sex and marriage for our good, and, when lived out according to His plan, it is a foretaste of Heaven (CCC 1642). Our bodies are good and worthy of love and respect.

7. God has entrusted us with the stewardship and care of the material world, and we should respect each person’s role in that plan.

8. The truth will set you free, for Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6)

9. People are not objects to use but individuals to love. Relationships lead us closer to the Lord and should be respected (CCC 166)

10. God will provide for all that we need (Philippians 4:19), so we live in gratitude and trust that the Lord knows our desires.

(adapted from Sacred and Safe, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, 2012).

“Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.” 

I am praying for you, please pray for me, and I will see you in the Eucharist.

Matt

This reflection is based on the Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday, March 3rd, 2024, which is the Third Sunday of Lent - Cycle B: Psalms 19:8, 9, 10, 11.